Abstract: An ambulatory physiological monitor includes a high capacity, plug connectable magnetic disk cartridge for storing physiological data and analysis software. The disk cartridge is easily removable from the monitor and is connectable to a remote computer for analysis of the physiological data using the analysis software stored in the disk cartridge. The ambulatory physiological monitor may include a wireless data modem for communicating with a remote computer system as to the patient's condition through a cellular telephone system. Selected portions of the physiological data or results of analysis of the physiological data may be transmitted to the remote computer system. The monitor may operate in a server mode in which it is controlled by the remote computer system. Updates to the analysis software and remote commands may be sent from the remote computer system to the monitor.

Abstract: An ambulatory physiological monitor includes an input for receiving physiological data such as electrocardiography (ECG) data from a patient. This data is transferred to a disk drive by a processor or other suitable hardware. The disk drive records this data on the disk recording medium. The data is stored in noncompressed form. Preferably, to conserve power in the monitor, a buffer is also provided. The buffer temporarily holds the incoming data until the buffer is full. When the buffer is full, the disk drive is activated, and the contents are forwarded to the disk drive for storage on the disk recording medium. The monitor is switched from a low resolution mode to a high resolution mode in response to activation of an event button or at predetermined intervals.